Buganda unveils five-year strategic plan

By Jeff Andrew Lule     
           
The Buganda Kingdom legislative body (Lukiiko) has approved a five-year Strategic Plan to improve the Kingdom’s economic base and infrastructure.

The plan to be implemented from 2014 to 2018, follows a retreat by Buganda cabinet ministers and departmental heads chaired by the Kingdom premier, Peter Charles Mayiga in Masaka last month.

While presenting the plan to the Lukiiko, the kingdom’s minister of planning and economic development, Robert Waggwa Nsibirwa, said it is going to cost about sh168bn to implement.

In his speech to the Lukiiko, Mayiga said the strategy is aimed at promoting development in the kingdom to boost her financial base and strengthen culture.

Mayiga said they have already passed a new law in the kingdom for introduction ceremonies (Kwanjula), where couples intending to marry must give tree seedlings as part of the requirements.

He noted that it was done in response to the Kabaka’s call to plant more trees to protect the environment.

“From today,  this is part of Ganda culture at all introduction ceremonies. It is going to help us promote tree planting. No introduction will be allowed without tree seedlings,” he added.

Mayiga said the kingdom also plans to give out free tree seedlings in various counties in the five year plan.

He said the strategy will be reviewed annually to check the achievements for transparency and accountability.